Quiz: Understanding Your Carpet Label

Are you installing new carpet in your home? There is much to consider when purchasing carpet: color, durability, stain resistance, weave, material, thickness. Luckily, all the information you need is contained in the label. Take our quiz to see if you are savvy carpet label reader.

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Question 1 of 20

How many types of carpet weave are there?

two

four

There are four types of carpet weave: frieze, saxony, plush and loop.

eight

Question 2 of 20

What is the most common process used to make a carpet?

tufting

Carpets are usually made through tufting. They can also be woven on looms.

hooking

knotting

Question 3 of 20

What does density refer to?

fibers per square inch

Density refers to how close together the strands are, also known as fibers per square inch.

fibers per foot

the thickness of the fibers

Question 4 of 20

What twist level indicates durability?

less than five

more than four

Twist is the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted per inch. A twist level of more than four indicates durability.

at least 10

Question 5 of 20

What is the difference between face weight and total weight?

Total weight includes the carpet backing.

Face weight refers to the amount of fiber in ounces per square yard; total weight includes the weight of the carpet backing. Don't confuse face weight with twist and density; take all three into consideration when assessing durability.

Face weight includes the carpet backing.

Total weight includes the packaging.

Question 6 of 20

Which is the most popular type of fiber?

polyester

wool

nylon

The most popular fiber is nylon because it's durable, easy to clean, reasonably stain-resistant and moderately resistant to fading in the sun.

Question 7 of 20

Which is the most expensive type of fiber?

acrylic

wool

Wool is the most expensive but considered to be the best in terms of appearance and comfort. It will fade in sunlight, does not do well with mildew and mold and will wear down faster than some synthetics.

olefin

Question 8 of 20

What is a disadvantage of a acrylic carpeting?

It's expensive.

It stains easily.

It pills and fluffs.

Acrylic looks and feels like wool, but it tends to pill and fluff. It's a little more expensive than nylon.

Question 9 of 20

What criteria are used to obtain a Performance Appearance Rating (PAR)?

density, twist, fiber and stain resistance

density, twist and face weight

the carpet's condition after a year of normal traffic from a family of four

Home Depot applies a test that determines what the carpet will look like after a year of normal traffic from a family of four. The scores range from 1 to 5, with 4 or 5 indicating a high level of durability.

Question 10 of 20

How seriously should you take the Performance Appearance Rating (PAR)?

It's very trustworthy.

It's moderately trustworthy.

Ratings tend to oversimplify matters. Don't rely solely on the rating; take the density and twist into consideration, too.

It's not trustworthy.

Question 11 of 20

What does Teflon and Scotchgard technology do to liquids spilled on carpets?

It makes liquid form beads.

Teflon and Scotchgard cause liquids to form beads, so that if cleaned up immediately, it won't stain.

It makes the carpet resist absorbing it.

It neutralizes their odor.

Question 12 of 20

How does a StainMaster carpet work?

It's coated with wax to prevent food from sticking to it.

It causes liquid to form beads on the carpet.

It neutralizes the electric charge in the carpet.

StainMaster neutralizes the electric charge on the carpet, so that food spilled won't be attracted to the opposite charges in the carpet and become permanently embedded in the carpet.

Question 13 of 20

What do manufacturers do to make their product resist stains?

treat the carpet with chemicals

Manufacturers treat their products with chemicals to make them resist stains. Some materials and constructions are naturally more resistant than others.

weave the strands in a pattern that doesn't absorb liquid

both of the above

Question 14 of 20

How reliable is the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label?

not very

Some experts say it's not rigorous enough; others say it's not necessary. The best precaution against a buildup of noxious chemicals is to air out the carpet in a well ventilated room for a few days before and after installation.

moderately

very

Question 15 of 20

Which notorious chemical is put on carpets?

ozone

formaldehyde

There are a number of different types of allegedly carcinogenic chemicals used on carpets: formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, benzene and 4-phenylcyclohexene.

Freon

Question 16 of 20

How can you prevent your carpet from harboring germs?

Treat it with antibacterial spray.

Shampoo it regularly.

Vacuum it regularly.

Dust, toxins from cleaning products and germs can get trapped in carpets. Ventilate carpeted rooms well and vacuum them regularly to get rid of these unwanted particles.

Question 17 of 20

How many times warmer does carpet keep a house than hardwood?

three times

five times

10 times

Carpet keeps a house 10 times warmer than hardwood does. A number of elementary school reported that by installing carpets, they saved between $ 2,000 and $ 8,000 in heating costs.

Question 18 of 20

How can you determine a carpet's R-value if it's not written on the label?

Multiply its durability score by three.

Multiply its thickness in inches by 2.6.

A carpet's R-value is its thermal resistance rating, i.e. how warm it will keep the room. You can work it out by multiplying its thickness in inches by 2.6.

Multiply its density and twist score by its total weight.

Question 19 of 20

What should you keep in mind when deciding which size carpet to buy?

The carpet will expand over time.

The carpet will shrink over time.

You'll need more carpet than the actual room size.

You'll need more square footage than the actual room size so you don't come up short on the width or length.

Question 20 of 20

With regard to warranty, what should you always do?

Read the fine print.

Always read the fine print of the warranty because there will be strict stipulations, such as percentage of wear and evidence of proper maintenance (like cleaning receipts), before a warranty can be taken advantage of.